The
Passing of Dale Maximovich
On Thursday,
November 2, 2006, I received a phone call from TCRC-MWED Director
Gary Doherty. Gary informed me that my good friend Dale Maximovich
had passed away. I've been friends with Dale since 1978, we work
together at CP Rail on extra crews and on the section.
Dale was an
icon in Sutherland yard in Saskatoon. I always thought that Dale
had the best job; he operated the loader. On cold winter days
Dale would always travel with his loader and bring us coffee.
He always had room in his cab to let you warm up.
Dale always
felt loyalty towards his brothers at work. He was an active Union
member of Local Lodge 304 and I can’t thing of a meeting
that Dale did not try to make it to. He was always an active voice.
So much so, he became the secretary-treasurer of Local Lodge,
304. He was a great Secretary Treasurer.
His co-workers
were his family. I received several calls on Thursday from my
friends in Saskatchewan. I must've talked to at least 30 members,
who knew Dale. John Kack called me and told how he would miss
Dale. Jerry Blahey told me he couldn’t believe it. Grand
Budz was still in shock on Sunday night. I spoke to his brother
Brian and I spoke to his good friend Garry Ahrens. Like Brian,
we all considered Dale as family.
Every summer,
Dale would get on his Harley Davidson Sportster and travel to
the Sturgis big bike rally. All of us would wait with baited breath
for Dale’s return. We would sit there in awe as he would
tell of his exploits at Sturgis.
Dale loved
his Sportster. Once in a while, he would take me for a ride on
it. Dale wore a small helmet and wore no goggles. Every time a
rock would be kicked up from behind a car, Dale would duck his
head and have the stone bounce off his helmet. Then, he would
turn around and smile at me. I always thought he should wear goggles.
Dale leaves
behind his son Cody (15) and daughter Dana (10). Dale was a dedicated
to his children. Cody developed cancer at age 3, Dale was there
every time Cody had to go for chemotherapy. Dale never left Cody’s
side. When you would walk into Dale house, he would always have
pictures of his children on his fridge.
In March of
this year, Dale turned 47 and he will never get another year older.
However, he will continue to live on in our hearts. He enjoyed
life and he enjoyed his friends. I am proud to say Dale Maximovich
was my friend and my brother.
Louis Wilson
Secretary Treasurer
TCRC MWED
